Signs
- Repeated or constant upper-belly pain, often to the back
- Oily, floating, foul-smelling stools; weight loss
- Diabetes (called type 3c), sometimes the first sign
- Calcium deposits (stones) in the pancreas on scans
Causes
Alcohol and smoking are common causes. In South India, tropical calcific pancreatitis is a well-known form that often starts young, in people who don't drink. Genetic factors play a role in many.
Treatment
- Stop alcohol and smoking: both speed up damage.
- Pancreatic enzyme capsules with meals for fatty stools and weight loss.
- Diabetes care tailored to pancreatic diabetes.
- Pain control, step by step, avoiding long-term strong painkillers where possible.
- Endoscopic therapy: if stones or a narrowing block the main pancreatic duct, ERCP with stenting, often combined with shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to break stones, can relieve pain. EUS-guided coeliac plexus block is an option for selected people.
- Surgery helps some people with long-standing pain; we discuss this with pancreatic surgeons.
Common questions
Is chronic pancreatitis linked to diabetes?
Yes. A damaged pancreas makes less insulin, causing diabetes that needs careful treatment.
Will I need enzymes for life?
Often yes, if digestion is affected. They're taken with every meal and snack to work properly.